Jochen Linssen

Worldwide innovations in the development of carbon capture technologies and the utilization of CO2

While Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies are being developed with the focus of capturing and storing CO2 in huge quantities, new methods for the chemical exploitation of carbon dioxide (CCU) are being developed in parallel. The intensified chemical or physical utilization of CO2 is targeted at generating value from a limited part of the CO2 stream and developing better and more efficient chemical processes with reduced CO2 footprint. Here, we compare the status of the three main lines of CCS technologies with respect to efficiency, energy consumption, and technical feasibility as well as the implications of CCS on the efficiency and structure of the energy supply chain.

Integration of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles: Experience from Germany

This paper reviews the situation of electromobility and its development trends in Germany. Opportunities for the application of electromobility are presented. Important research and development activities and individual field tests about plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles are included. The paper is completed by an outlook regarding the future development possibilities of electromobility in Germany.

Full fuel cycles and market potentials of future passenger car propulsion systems

Abstract The focus of the paper covers the current discussion on the contribution of fuel cell vehicles to so-called “sustainable mobility”. It evaluates whether advantages for the environmental situation and energy carrier supply can be expected from the already visible future characteristics of fuel cell propulsion systems in the transport sector. This contribution therefore determines full fuel cycle data for the energy demand and emissions as well as economic data. The different paths of a hydrocarbon-based fuel supply are evaluated with respect to primary energy use and CO 2 emissions from the fuel cycle. The technical systems analysis of fuel cell propulsion systems was realised with dynamic simulation models for driving cycles. The energy consumption and emission reduction potentials in the German passenger car transport sector were estimated for the introduction of fuel cell propulsion systems. Therefore scenario calculations were carried out to indicate how the results of the single analysis of technology and fuel supply concepts affect the German transport sector. The application of fuel cell electric vehicles in comparison to advanced internal combustion engine vehicles identifies a small CO 2 emission reduction potential for the German transport sector depending on the assumed full fuel cycles. The reduction of limited emissions can be expected to be much greater, which can help to reduce local smog problems.

Impact of temporal resolution of supply and demand profiles on the design of photovoltaic battery systems for increased self-consumption

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) offer the opportunity to match the energy supply from photovoltaic (PV) systems with the respective consumer load profile and thus significantly increase the share of self-consumption and the degree of autarky. The cost-optimal system design of PV BESS depends on a variety of parameters and is analyzed via a techno-economic modelling approach. This analysis focuses on the impact of different temporal resolutions of supply and demand profiles on BESS design, modes of operation and related parameters including self-consumption, degree of autarky and battery lifetime. The temporal resolution of the input profiles is varied between 1 and 60 minute. Modelling results show that both the calculation time of a simulation and the accuracy of the simulation results increase with increasing temporal resolution. The relative error of the different temporal resolutions is quantified and peaks at 11.6 % in the simulation with 60 minute resolution for the parameters indirect self-consumption / full cycle equivalents. With decreasing temporal resolution, a smoothing effect can be observed, which leads to profiles with lower maximum and minimum values and fewer peaks. The simultaneity of PV production and electricity consumption increases with decreasing temporal resolution resulting in overrated degrees of self-consumption and autarky.

Climate policy beyond the European emissions trading system: Spotlight on the transport sector in Germany

The targets set to protect our climate at the COP21 and by the German government are highly ambitious. To reach these targets different political measures are already implemented. The interaction of these targets, their contribution to an overall greenhouse gas mitigation strategy as well as their impacts on the emission trading systems are addressed within this analysis. This is done for Germany in terms of a case study. For this analysis we apply a German energy system model and calculate three scenarios with different combinations of overall and transport specific targets. One of the key results is that especially for goods transport on roads the evolution of conventional drivetrains will not be sufficient to reach ambitious decarbonization targets. A portfolio of electrified drivetrains with batteries and hydrogen as well as power to liquid fuels with low carbon footprints or trolley trucks at main highway routes will be mandatory.

Power-to-Gas—Concepts, Demonstration, and Prospects

Abstract Power-to-Gas is a concept to store electricity long term in generation systems dominated by renewable electricity sources, to produce fuels for transportation, household, and industry, or to offer flexibility in demand. Most process steps within a Power-to-Gas system are not new and are mostly mature and already part of the conventional energy system, for example, pipeline transportation of gaseous energy carriers. Electrolysis, however, needs to be fit to the requirements of Power-to-Gas because renewable or excess electricity are only temporarily available. The different electrolysis technologies are discussed in this context. Another special process is the methanation. Two different concepts, catalytic and biological methanation, are available. Both technologies are discussed regarding process design and development status. Furthermore, in Europe, 106 Power-to-Gas projects are known. They are analyzed in terms of their concepts, processes used, and other important parameters. Most of the projects are located in Germany. Other countries, however, have shown increasing interest in the last years. Results of an analysis of energy supply scenarios for different countries point out that the Power-to-Gas potential is locally very different and depends highly on the future development of the different national energy systems.

CO 2 Transportation

This chapter discusses the technical options for transporting CO2. The current situation as well as the potential risks of transporting CO2 in pipelines will be outlined. In addition, the purity requirements for the CO2 to be transported will be discussed.